Attachment parenting childminder - is there a call for it?

[LittleWaveyLines]

I've just gone back to work and I am hating leaving my DD, as I feel she needs me.

I am very "attachment parenting" orientated, and could not easily find a childminder who is willing to have my DD in a sling etc, which I would like as it makes her feel secure, and she is a baby who needs to be carried a lot (which is a complete PITA without a sling when you have things to do!)

Anyway, I was thinking that maybe I could retrain as a childminder, specialising in attachment parenting. (Currently a secondary school teacher).

I can't hand in my notice until October half term to leave at Christmas anyway, so this is mere idle speculation - but do people think there is a call for a childminding like this?

Scottish that doesn't change the fact that I'd like to try and choose a person to pay to look after my child that doesn't practice CIO....

scottishmummy I am about to train as a CM but not for the money. I do not need to work but many people I care about have had trouble finding care for their child that they feel is consistent with their values and I wish to help them and others like them. Surely you must be capable of appreciating that some people find spending time with children incredibly fulfilling? You clearly do not understand what AP is. I suggest you ask questions about it before criticising those who choose it.

cm self employed business women,enable parents to work
making profit,fulfilling demand what's not to like
but be clear it's service for money and some cm work 60hr week - it's not altruistic for free

It is possible to actually enjoy working with children you know You might not have been that keen spending time with your own children, but amazingly some people not only like their own kids, they like other people's as well.

If you feel strongly about parenting in a particular way, it's no shock that you might feel strongly about caring for other people's children in a similar way. I don't see the controversy about favouring a certain style of childcare, whether you are paying someone to do it, or being paid to do it. Most parents when they look for a childminder or nursery seek out a provider with similar values to themselves.

Loving the discussion!

Well I think I'm fairly atruistic anyway - gave up being a well paid accountant to become a fairly thankless (certainly by the parents) secondary school teacher because I love kids and teaching them. CMing is just another route to that.

And no, I don't give a stuff about career - never have. I don't spend money on going out, hair, nails, shoes etc because that sort of thing has never appealed to me, so I don't spend much. Also due to working my arse off in my twenties with up to 4 jobs at any one time (including the day job of accountancy I was front of house for 2 separate restaurants in the evenings, and worked on building sites and fishing boats in the weekends), I have a basically token mortgage - on a modest house.

So no, I don't really need to work :)

you will presumably charge fees,self employed for profit business
being solvent you're fortunate enough to have choice not to work.as you say you're not dependent upon a salary coming in. if you're realistic and grounded,then yes change careers. you have the luxury of being solvent and able to do so

do you think there is a call for AP cm? do you think it's niche or there is demand

I think there is an increasing demand, but still currently a bit niche.

Of course I would charge fees and be self employed, as working is a self-worth thing to me, but the amount of money is not the sole motivator to me, but making a difference to children.

right then
a for profit business
good. now you can ease up on the altruistic hippy stuff

Does it upset you?

an entrepreneur, for profit business.what's nor to like
anything that supports mum to return to work is good in my books.women make invaluable contribution to workplace,need to maintain and promote that
there's too much psychobabble and quasi science to make mums feel guilt,not good enough, the alleged need to be available emotionally and mentally all time.

scottishmummy, your views about staying at home with children are well known on mumsnet. I have enjoyed arguing with you before. We have very different ideas about what is important. For example, I see childcare as a perfectly respectable career choice - I think it's a shame that this vital role in society is so generally undervalued, and so often undertaken by poorly trained and poorly motivated staff in environments which are not suitable for children's needs.

Somebody needs to be available emotionally and mentally for children, right? Children need full-time care and plenty of consistent affection. Many mums would like to be there for their children full-time, and that's fine. When mums would prefer to work (for whatever reason), or when they are forced into working by their financial circumstances, their children still need nurturing.

This kind of childminding is a necessary service - women who would prefer to work are enabled to do so, knowing that their children are still receiving the kind of care they want for them. As for women who would prefer to be at home but find it absolutely necessary to work in order to feed their families... well, I do think that situation is rather tragic, and 'attachment parenting' childminders may be very reassuring for those mums.

who are you arguing with
not me?
cm do a necessary role, supports parent to maintain employment. if one wants to work in childcare,and has aptitude then that's great. I have used childcare since 6mth old. I have good rapport with nursery staff.I value their role

of course im going to query quitting teaching to do minimum wage self employed. but she's solvent, and seems realistic

I suppose I'm arguing with the idea that everything has to have an economic value. Also with your definitions of AP as 'psychobabble', 'quinoa-munching', 'altruistic hippy stuff' and 'quasi-science to make mums feel guilt'.

I'm glad we agree that childminding is a necessary role It was not the purpose of this thread to defend attachment parenting, so I will be quiet now

ease up on the c&p
didn't attribute all that to AP
I do think AP psychobabble, much loved by baby wearing quinoa munchers
I think there is also an industry of other books,so called experts all dedicated to women being martyred not good enough parents